Rev 3:7- 8 …These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

I am so overwhelmed as I write this today. As the year is about to set, I was led to think about this entire year. Yes, it has been one tough year. Amid all the little bad times and trials I have faced, I have had some of the most victorious, anointed, miraculous and joyful days in this year. All glory to God. I did nothing to deserve all the beautiful things. I just submitted to God and went with whatever He brought my way. At the beginning of the year, the Lord gave the word on Open Doors (Rev 3:8) to the entire congregation of Restoration Outreach (my wonderful church family).

I held on to that promise and God indeed opened some impossible doors. He confirmed this word so many times throughout this year. I am just in awe of Him. Truly His word never returns void. One such door, I never even dreamed of, was prison ministry. I worked as a crime reporter and came across those nabbed for various crimes from robbery to frauds and even murders (one of them was the serial beer killer suspect). I often would ask God to somehow reach out to these people innocent or guilty. Obtaining permission to enter prisons is definitely no easy task. I never even dreamt that one day I would have an opportunity to enter into a prison without being convicted. That was a door that God opened for me.

Thanks to two wonderful people, Frank and Lucy, I have been able to be a part of this. The whole thing has surely changed my perspective on life. If you think your life is bad, try sharing a cell with approx 150 others (each cell should only accommodate at most 50). Try food that you would rather starve than eat. Most of all constant bickering, hate, fights and insults spewed from all sides. Not everyone in there is a criminal; there are a few innocent people awaiting justice for weeks, months and even years. Some can afford good legal counsel, some cannot and are forced to depend on the sluggish justice system. Some children are born in jail, some are forced to live in the cells along with their mothers.

When our group enters there with a message of hope, salvation and love, these women and children flock to us like bees flock to honey (women and men jails are separate, only women from our group visit the women prisoners as the men visit the men prisoners). God has done some amazing things there. He has answered prayers, healed, ministered and changed inmates right in front of our eyes. Any doubt Jesus is alive?

We are mere women, by ourselves we could not have even got a smile out of them. We don’t have the charm of words. We sing sometimes in tune, sometimes struggle to get things together. Thankfully, God has been and still is with us. He promised, “When two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there.” He comes in power and we of all people know that it isn’t because of who we are or what we do, our talents, our charms, etc. It is because of who He is. He opened this door and asked us to walk through. He equips us. God indeed does not choose the equipped, but equips the chosen. Without Him we wouldn’t have even been able to get inside there. Soon I will write testimonies of women in there who were transformed. Just awaiting their release and permission that I may do so.

Another open door that we pray remains open for as long as it can, is this outreach ministry that we carry out Sunday evenings on the street of a popular suburb. A few of us meet at a sea facing platform singing about the Lord and sharing what He has done in our lives. There have been opportunities to pray and counsel many. There have been testimonies of people being touched and the seeds of Jesus being sown. God provided us permission from secular authorities and has favoured us among people. Many times, God kept us reassured about the fact that the doors He opens no man can shut. We saw it particularly when we almost thought we lost right to share the Word of God in public.

Not just ministry, I have seen open and closed doors in my personal life. In relationships, in career and so many other areas of life. I have seen Him open opportunities that were the best for me. He closed down doors that were just not right for me. If seen through natural eyes, those doors should’ve been easy to walk through. Several Christian young men came my way saying that God had confimred I was the one they were to marry. I am so glad I turned to God. He showed me escape and a way out without hurting these people. Now, I look back and see that it was the best thing that thsoe doors closed. I continue to walk through open doors. I thank Him for illuminating this word in my life so strongly and I pray that all who read may experience the opening and closing of doors by God in their life. It is so important. I tell you from experience!

Truly want to thank Him for guiding my path this year. His Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path (Ps 119:105).

Awaiting His Word for 2012. So far, I believe it to be a year of answered prayer and breakthroughs for those who know Him and trust Him.

Psalm 34:4-5 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.

This month has been a preview of that. I can only praise His name. Share with me in comments if you like of things Jesus has done or something you believe will happen in 2012. Would love to pray with you. God bless 🙂

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